How to define uniformly ticking clock defined in GR?

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SUMMARY

The discussion defines a clock in General Relativity (GR) as a smooth embedding γ: t → γ(t) where the tangent vector \dot{γ}(t) is timelike and future-pointing. The concept of a "uniformly ticking" clock is introduced, suggesting that uniform ticking would require the length of the tangent vector \dot{γ}(t) to remain constant. This implies a proportional relationship between proper time and clock time, expressed as \|\dot{γ}(t)\| = c\,dτ/dt. The discussion emphasizes the importance of smoothness and monotonicity in defining clocks without necessitating uniform ticking.

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  • Understanding of General Relativity (GR) principles
  • Familiarity with smooth manifolds and embeddings
  • Knowledge of timelike vectors and their properties in GR
  • Basic grasp of proper time and its relation to coordinate time
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, mathematicians specializing in differential geometry, and students of General Relativity seeking to deepen their understanding of time and clocks in a relativistic framework.

center o bass
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I just read the following definition of a clock in GR:

"A clock is a smooth embedding γ : t → γ(t) from a real interval into M such that the tangent vector \dot{γ} (t) is everywhere timelike with respect to g and future-pointing. This terminology is justified because we can interpret the value of the parameter t as the reading of a clock. Note that our definition of a clock does not demand that “its ticking be uniform” in any sense. Only smoothness and monotonicity are required."

And I wondered how would a clock that is "ticking uniformly" be defined?
 
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Since the spacetime intervals are relativistic invariants, and on a time-like path they are non-zero - you could start by trying uniform spacetime intervals and see how they do.

At least everybody would agree with the ticks ...
 
Using that notation, "ticking uniformly" would mean the length of the tangent vector [itex]\dot{γ} (t)[/itex] was constant.

The length of the tangent vector [itex]\dot{γ} (t)[/itex] is proportional to the ratio of proper time to clock time [itex]\|\dot{γ} (t)\| = c\,d\tau/dt[/itex].
 

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